Automatic rapid-fire machine gun



F. BA NGERTER. AUTOMATIC RAPIDfIRE MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 4, 1918.

I Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

9 SHEETS-SHEET I $1; 143' chroma F. BANGERTER.

AUTOMATIC RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN.

7 APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. I918. 7 1,424,751. I Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

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l ull ng F. BANGERTER.

AUTOMATIC RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. 19l8.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

9 $HEETSSHEET 3.

EA! K9 D3 F. BANGERTER.

AUTOMATIC RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 4. I918.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922..

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4- 5] wuewfo'c 6 447 F.'BANGERTER. AUTOMATIC RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 4,1918.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

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AUTOMATIC RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FlLE-D NOV. 4, 1918. l A2435 1 Patented g- 8, 1922.

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AUTOMATIC RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-4,1918.

l ,4Q4fi5 1 Patented Aug. 8, 1922..

9 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

JW M i- F. BANGERTER.

AUTOMATIC RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN..

' APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. L918- Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

F. BANGERTER.

AUTOMATIC RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. 1918.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

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FRIEDRICH BANGERTEB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

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Application filed November 4, {918. Serial No. 261,028.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH BANGER- TnR, ,a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Rapid- Fire Machine Guns, of which the. following is a full, clear, and exact specification, such as will enable 'others'skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machine guns of the automatic type, wherein the energy generated by the explosion of the charge is -utilized, through various connected mechanisms, to load and cook th weapon, fire the charge, eject the empty shells, and feed the ammunition to the gun.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine gun which may be continuously fired by hand or which may be continuously fired automatically, after the initial explosion, one which is light,,stable and durable in continuous operation, safeyaccurate and reliable in firing, comparatively simple in construction, and which is capable of.extremely rapid fire, varying from one shot to several thousand shots per minute.

A further object of my invention is to provide an automatic machine gun which can be readily and quickly taken'apart and set up in position for operation, with convenient means for training, elevating and depressing, and wherein the liability to heating of the parts is redpced to a minimum, if not completely elim hated. My gun is particularly designed or the use of rifle cartridges of standard make, but, due to the novel features of construction, it will be evident that there is no limit to the size of the shells that may be used in connection therewith, and, while the drawings show a gun with fifteen barrels and thirty one explosion chambers in the travelling magazine, it will also be apparent that these numbers may be increased to almost any desired muzzle;

extent by similarly proportioning the other parts of the mechanism.-

All of the foregoing objects, as well as others ancillary thereto, will be made clear byt he following description, taken in connectlon with the accompanying drawings, in which,--

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the gun as viewed from what is the left hand side w en looking Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof, on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with certain parts omitted;

Fig. 3 is a lan view of the gun and ammunition ree s for use therewith;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation,'partly in section, of the loading, firing and ejecting mechanism, as viewed from the side opposite that shown in Fig. l; i

Fig. 5 is a transverse section, on a reduced scale, on line 5-5 of Fig. 4., showing a brak- 1ng means;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 of Fig. 4, in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal'section through the ejecting mechanism, indicated generally on'line 7--7 of Fig. 6, inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section, with certain parts omitted;

Fig. 9- is a detail sectional view, partly in elevation, of the'forward end of one of the barrels and the longitudinally movable motor cylinder thereon;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal fragmentary section of the firing cylinder and of one of the clamping bolts, with the firing pin therein, showing the relation of said members to the cams for guiding the same, and in position just previous to firing;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a development of an arc through which the barrels, magazine and clamping bolts with their contained firing pins, travel, and the relative positions of said clamping and from. the breech towards the shown in locked position, preventing automatic firing but permitting manual, singleshot firing;

Fig. 14 is a side elevatlon, partly in section, of the reel bracket and reel thereon,

in part broken away;'

' Fig. 15 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the parts shown in Fig. 14, and

Fig. 16, is a detail plan section through the reel bracket on line 1616, of Fig. 14, in the direction of the arrows.

. Referring'to the construction illustrated: The main frame work of the gun comprises a plurality of relatively light but strong transverse supporting members C, C, C which are rigidly held in position by longitudinal tie rods C C, C, C", and also by a longitudinal, stationary bearing rod C all of. said rodsbeing immovably. secured at their ends to the transverse supporting mem;

bers C, G and affording 'a rigid supporting structure, the bearing-rod C being provided with. handles C C The transverse frame member C is located at approxi-' mately the longitudinal center -'of gravity of the frame and carried parts, and at one side (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, 12), has formed, integrally therewith, a trunnion C by which the framing structure just described, and

the mechanism carried thereby, are held in position upon a suitable stand embodying means providing for all necessary movements for training the gun upon a target in any angle or position. The stand will be described after a description has been had of the gun mechanism.

Mountedto rotate freely upon the bearing rod 0 is an elongated hollow tube or sleeve D, having a rearward extension thereof D, to which latter certain working parts are connected, as will be hereinafter set forth. I

Near the rear end of the sleeve D, in an an-' gular recess; therein D ,-is rigidly held, a ring D which is provided annularly with a plurality of bores 'D. The bores D are threaded, and receive therein the threaded ends of a plurality of rifledbarrels D The forward ends of the barrels D are supported within an annular series of bores D in a casing. D, the bored head D of which is mounted upon and is rigidly secured to, the sleeve D. The bores D are not necessarily threaded, but should afford a water upon said head D is a sheet metal cylinder D, to the interior of which a liquid may be admitted and circulate therein, to act as a v cooling agent for the barrels.

The casing D is provided with a series of elongated guide openings D the walls of which openings act as guides and bearings for certain gas-operated motor parts carried by the barrels D These parts are more clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Securely held to the exteriorly threaded end of each of the barrels D is an interiorly threaded collar D which may have packing rings, as at D", upon which collar the cylinder, indicated at D is adapted to slide. The member D comprises a cylindrical casing D, exteriorly threaded at one end, as at D, and interiorly threaded at the other end, as-at D Within the latter threaded end is an exteriorly threaded plug D having a bore 1), whereby it is adapted to bear slidinglyupon the barrel D and the forward face of which, 1), contacts with the rear end of the collar D when the cylinder D is moved forwardly. The upper side of the plug D is formed with an extension D carrying a roller D, which acts as a contact member for the parts presently to be described. Engaging the forward threaded end of the cylinder D is an interiorly threaded ca D, which has a bore D ofthe same slze as, and truly aligned with, the bore D of the barrel D The rear portion of the cap D, it will be observed, is enlarged, the rear wall of which,- D in conjunction with the wall of the cylinder D, the end of the collar D and the end of the barrel D forms an expansion chamber D wherein the expansion of the gas resulting from the combustion of the explosive in the explosion chamber, has the effect, of propellingv forward the cylinder D .and carrying therewith the roller-bearing contact member D the full operation of which willbe hereinafter described. It will suffice, for the present, to state that in the forward movement 'of the cylinders D connection with other parts to be described,

effect the rotation of the barrel cylinder and provide the motive power for the automatic operation of the gun mechanism.

I will now describe the firing mechanism. Mounted upon the extension D of the elongated sleeve D, isa hub E, and, formed integrally therewith, is what I will term the firing cylinder, indicated at E, the outer rim of which, E, is of suflicient thickness to have therein an annular concentric row of bores E each of which bores contains a hollow clamping bolt E, within which is enclosed a firing pin E.

Each clamping bolt E has a central horizontal bore E, the walls of which act as a guide for a movable head E", fast to the firing pin E, one

.end of a spring E acting against the movable head E, and the other end of the spring contacting with the stationary head E". The bore E is of reduced diameter at E, E, to accurately guide the firing pin Where the latter likewise is of reduced 'd1ameter';

The walls of the bores E nearest the center'of the firin cylinder E, have a series of slots B, an the clamping bolts E, are slotted at E, both of these slots being contiguous to a combination race cam located on a stationary cam member, into the races of which protuberances on theclamping bolt and on the firin pin project,- and by which said bolts an firingpins are controlled. The rear end of the firing pin E is provided with an inwardly projecting -'trigger E whose function it is to guide and retract the firing pin into and out, of firing position, and when in that position, \to release the firing .pin and explode the charge;

vand the clamping .boltE has an inwardly projecting-rollerv bearing-guide member E 5,

b which the operative movements ofthe,

clamping bolt arecontrolled. l

The combination race cam" member, to

which reference has just'been made, is in dicated at F, comprising a bearingF, fast "E until,

to the rod C ,.and containing acam groove F which is traversed by the uiding mem-- ber E of'the clamping'bolt 1%, and anangular cam groove or surface F in and against which the trigger E travels and contacts. v

Since the firing cylinder E is fast to the extension D- of the barrel sleeve D, it rotates with the barrel cylinder, an d it will be understood that each of the clamping bolts E is in'horizontal alignment with the barrels D of the barrel cylinder.

The cam race F 2 moves the clamping bolt slightly to the left, in the annular travel of to bring said bolt into. proper position to be finally acted upon endwise by a plate c'am G, secured'to the inner face of the end frame member 0. I At the same time, the tri ger E is acted upon by the cam surface to move it in a direction contrary to that. taken by the clamping bolt and a ainst the action of the spring len it reaches the farthest point of retraction, as indicated at G it is released, and therewith also, under action of the spring E .the firing pin E is released to explode the charge contained in the ex-- plosion chamber of a travelling magazine which lies'between the barrel cylinder and" plurality of an the firing cylinder, said clamping bolt, under pressure of thecam plate G, serving to bind the r1fled barrel and the explosion be driven either automatically or by han and, either case, is loaded and the empty shells ejected automatically, as will be shown hereinafter.

Mounted within bearin s H, 'I-,=---the former upon an extension. of the cross frame C, and the latter upon the extension I of the end frame C ,'-is a shaftJ, which acts both as a drive shaft and a driven shaft, depending upon the source from which the power is derived. i V

Mounted upon the shaft J, and fast thereto, is a sprocket wheel J. Directly above the sprocketwheel J and carried by the Carried by 'thesprocket wheels J, J is an: endless travelling magazine, indicated in whole at J Besidesacting as such travelllng magazine, it also acts as a sprocket or chain drive; I f v lt-will. benoted that by means of the hand operated crank J and shaft J, the

member J 3 may drive the sprocket wheel J and-thereby-rotate the barrel cylinder D or, when the barrel cylinder D is automati-' call rotated, as hereinafter explained, the sha J and connect-ed mechanism will be thereby actuated.- A

The travelling magazine is made up of a number of units K, connected together, in the form, and performing the function, of a chain drive. Each of the units K is an explosion. chamber, each carrying to the firing point a chamber.

Stripped of the structural features which adapt the connected magazine units to serve as a chain drive, the formof the explosion chambers K is well illustrated in Fig. 11.

The, longitudinal center line of each explosion chamber K is carried into true horizontal alignment with the longitudinal center line ofthebarrels D and the center line of the'firing pins E of the clamping bolts E respectively. 7 As illustrated in said Fig. 11, the forward end of each explosion chamber is formed with an annular concentric projection indicated at K, said projection comprising a lar and cone shaped surwith and fitting into a similarly shaped epression K in the end of the barrels D. A projection K at the other end of the explosion chambers, is

cartridge for explosion in said faces correspon in adapted to be receivedwithin a depression fit the same, in the ends of the clamping bolts E, so thatwhen the clamping bolts are rigidly tightened, the respective projections K, K will be held immovably in the respective depressions K K. As shown in .said Fig. 11, this rigidly locked position is reached when the rear end of a clamping bolt E has been moved, by the contact member E travelling in the cam race F into position to be embraced by the plate cam G, in which locked position, the shell in the explosion chamber may be exploded.

The explosion chambers K are formed, at Opposite sides, with male and female hinge members, indicated respectively at K K*,

said members being coupled u i in the form of a link chain by pins, as at At the side opposite the hinge members K g'K, the explosion chamber units K are provided with rollers, as indicated at K", which act to guide the explosion chamber units in their travel.

A'guide chute is indicated at K (see Fig. 6 which acts, in connection with the guide rollers K to guidethe linked explosion chambers in straight line travel after and before passin over the respective sprocket wheels J,

We will now consider the mechanism whereby the loaded shells are automatically led into position to be automatically charged into the explosion chamber units of the magazine in their path of travel to the firing point of the gun.

Mounted upon, and fast to the shaft J,

and rotatable therewith, is a hub member indicated atL, formed integrally with which is a head L, carrying a cylindrical body L having a rim member L Extending lengthwise through the rim member L and through the head L, are a plurality of bores L, and extending parallel therewith and communicating with said bores L and with the interior of the cylindrical member L are a plurality of longitudinal slots L Within the bores L are movably placed charging plungers L, of approximately the same diameter or caliber as the cartridge whichthe un is adapted to use. Upon a projection 7 on the plunger L is mounted a roller guide member L by the control and movement of which member the respective charging plungers are longitudinally moved to charge the travelling magazine.

Immova-bly' mounted upon the shaft J (carried by the split bearing 1) is a catn member L having acam race L so directed and proportioned as to receive and guide, and propel forward and back, the guide roller L together with the plunger L, to which said roller is connected. In other words, on rotation of the cylinder L the plungers L, under impulsion of the cam-con trolled roller L one after the other, travel to the limit permitted by the cam race, and, on further rotation of the cylinder L the plungers, are separately retracted to the starting point.

Adapted to rotate with the shaft J is a cartridge feed cylinder M, having an annular flange M fast to the head L of the charging cylinder L Upon the periphery of the cartridge feed cylinder M are a plurality of circumferentially extending and parallel rows of teeth M which teeth co-operate with a cartridge conveyor belt or bando-lier, preferably of thin metal, having orifices to register with said teeth and through Which said teeth project, the cartridges being carried in loops of elastic fabric between N being Ngoverned by a fiat spring N se- I cured at to the arm N, and arranged to contact, on its inner side, with the head of a. latch N pivoted at N upon the oscillating arm N The lower portion of the oscillating arm N anda lateral rearward extension thereof N act as a bearing for a stud N upon one end of which stud is supported ro-tatably a toothed idler wheel 0, which wheel has a configuration, between the transverse rows of teeth, such that cartridges 0 contained in loops O inan orificed belt 0 may lie lengthwise within the grooves O of said idler wheel (see Figs. 4, 6 and 12), the orifices in said belt being indicated at O and the teeth of the idler wheel at O.

The cartridge conveyor belt may be led'to the idler wheel 0 from a reel of suit able design, such'.as I illustrate herein, and which will be hereinafter described. The cartridge-carrying bandolier is passed over the idler wheel 0 and onto the feed cylinder M, being drawn thereto by the rotation of the latter, and the cartridges are, one at a time, successively removed from the loops of the belt 0 by the charging plungers L, each succeeding'cartridge being taken in hand by the plunger registering therewith on the rotation, synchronously, of the feed cylinder M and the charging plunger cylinder L, the gradual longitudinal movement of the plungers being such that when a cartridge has been carried approximately a half revolution on the feed cylinder M, it is fulllg contained within an explosion chamber eeann j 1 explosion chambers of the magazine will now be described.

Mounted upon the shaft J, and adapted to rotate therewith, is a sprocket wheel P.

"Upon the arm N, of the support N, is suitably mounted a bearing P, adapted to support one end of a shaft P, the other'end being mounted within a bearing P, supported by a bracket P, the latter being connected by the split bearing P and bolts P, to

- ried by said stud P Also carried b the longitudinal tie rod G Upon the shaft P? is carried .a s rocket wheel PR. The sprocket wheels P, 7 carry a sprocket drive chain P, by which the shaft 2 is rotated,

when the shaft'J is rotated.

, Also mounted upon the arm N is an angular bracket P which, at the other end, is connected, as at P, to, and acts as a sup port for the lower end of, a'guide chute P, the u per end of said chute being connected, as at to the longitudinal tie rod C. Thisguide chute, being similar in structure to the guide chute K at the opposite side of the apparatus, has for its function, to retract the explosion c ambers (by contacting with the rollers K thereon) from the ends of the barrels, after the charge has been fired,'and thereafter guide said explosion chambers with their contained exploded cartridges in straight-line downward travel, including their approach to the point of ejection of the exploded shells. (See Fi 4.12

Mounted, upon flanges 14 of the plate P is a spindle P carryin aworm P meshing with a worm wheel carried by and rotating with the shaft P The spindle P of the worm P carries, atits' lower end, a gear'wheel P, which, in turn, meshes with apinion P rotatably mounted upon a stud P depending from and fast to the flange P, of the support plate P said pinion P being secured to, and rotatable with, a cylindrical friction member P rotatably cal:-

t e support plate P is a cam chute P con orming transversely'to the shape of the rear end of the explosion chambers K, and formed with inwardly projecting cam edges P P f, adapted to fit behind the flange carried at the rear end of the cartridges and thereby grip the latter. The direction of the opposing cam edges Pt, P being on a curve progressively rearward, on the downward travel of the explosion chambers, the exploded shells are successively partially removed therefrom. Disposed opposite the friction v roller member P is a rotary idler member Q is adapted to reciprocate an P, carried by a bracket P", pivoted at P, to the plate and held normally in upright position by the spring P one end of 'at the other end by a stud P projecting from the stationary plate P As the cartridges are partially ejected from the explosion chambers by the cam before described, they are taken in hand by the opposing rollers, the roller P being laterally movable to receive and hold the shell in a flexible grip, while the -fast-revolving member P brushes the shell into a chute P suitably suspended from the longitudinal tie rod C, from whence it is deposited upon the ground or any desired receptacle therefor.

We will now consider the automatic means whereby the barrel cylinder D, and the mechanism connected thereto, are rotated, under the action of the gas generated in the firing of the explosive charges, as well as the means I have provided to prevent accidents, or injury, to the operator, due to retardation in firing the cartrid es.

Secured immovab upon the tie rods C C, is a support Q, having an angular exten sion Q, a curved extension piece Q and an intermediate extension piece Q Suitably mounted, upon the intermediate extension piece Q and tangentially-to the periphery of the barrel cylinder D is a spring impulse motor Q (see Figs. 3, 12 and 13). According to the form illustrated in the drawings, it comprises a cylindrical casing Q, a spring contained therein, Q having a movable head Q, against which one end of said spring rests, the other end of said spring resting "against the opposite end of the cylindrical casing, as clearly shown in Fig. 12. The head Q has an opening Q through which protrudes the threaded end Q of an operating rod Q, the longitudinal movement of which is normally controlled by said spring. The tension of said spring may be increased or decreased by a hand wheel Q, the stem of which Q is screwed .on the threaded end Q? of the rod Q, and

serves as an adjustable abutment for the head Q", which is pressed against it by the spring Q The stem Q of the hand wheel rock in a tapered bore Q located in the ca Q which is screwed to the casing Q. T e opposite end of the operating rod Q projects through an opening Q in the extension piece Q and ispivotally, secured to one end of a cam lever Q, as at Q, said cam lever Q being pivotally secured, as at Q to a tongue ri 'dly mounted upon the support member Mountedupon the longitudinal tie rods C C C, is a curved cam plate Q (see Figs. 1 and 13), the function of which is to to Q, of the cross support Q, is a latch R1 havo is drawn forward, under action of the gases properly position the guide rollers D of the guide cylinders D within the respective longitudinal guide openings D upon the rotar movement of the barrel cylinder I) (see igs. 1 and 13).

The operation of the parts just described will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 3. When a chargeis exploded, the roller D directly behind the cam lever Q being connected to the movable guide cylinder D expanding in the expansion chamber D, and as said roller is driven forward, it slidingly contacts with the curved cam surface of the cam lever Q, thereby placing under compression the spring Q", and, as the roller D slips overthe end of the cam lever Q and into, and is held by, the end of the slot D,

the end Q of said lever, acting against said rap id.

he safety mechanism to provide against accidents due to possible retarded explosions of shell charges may be described as follows (see Fig. 3) Pivotally mounted, as at the fulcrum R, upon the cross support Q, is a lever B, the long arm of which has pivoted thereto, asat R a rod R having a head R contacting. with a com ression spring R the other end of said rod 3 being adapted to slide within an openin R in one.

end of the extension Q", being he d by a nut R7, the other end of said sprin "contacting with the face'of said extension (5 as clearly shown in Figs. -3 and 12. The short arm of the lever R is pivotally connected by a link R to a bell crank lever R pivotally mounted upon a ton ue R pro ecting from the cross support Pivotally connected to the extension piece an angular notch R which notch may, 1 1n certain positlons of the mechanism, en-

I gage a notched lug R on the lever Q Pivotally connected to the latch R is a tripping rod R, which extends through a bearing R on the extension Q, and having its other end slidably mounted in'a bearing vR on the rear cross frame C A handoperatedlever R" is also suitably mounted on the cross frame C and connected thereto, eccentrically of its fulcrum, are a pair of links R pivoted as at R, which links, at their forward'ends, are'pivotedto a head R movably mounted upon the tripping rod and throwing the tripping rod bell crank lever B.

rear. e

Upon the rod R at a point adjacent the bell crank lever B is rigi-dly mounted a collar R contacting with wh ch is one end of a spring R the other end of said spring being connected to a movable collar It, also mounted upon said rod R, which collar rests against the bifurcated end R of the Also mounted upon the rod R is a spring B, one end of which rests against the forward face of the bearin R of the extension piece Q, and the ot er end against the collar R fast to the rod'R.

Assuming that thereis delayed firing of an explosive charge in an explosion chamber, and that the momentum of the barrel cylinder, due to previous firing, is suflicient to rotate said cylinder and the delayed charge beyond the normal firing point, the roller D (see Fig. 3) will, contact with the face R of the lever R, and the momentum may be taken up in compressing the spring R bringing the barrelcylinder to a stop, whereupon the operator may resume firing by manually slippingthe roller D past the face R ofthe lever R, and turn the hand crank J to bring into position and fire another charge, after which the mechanism me will again work automatically. If, however, the momentum of the barrel cylinder is not fully expended in compressing the spring R and the barre cylinder rotates sufiicientlyto bring another shell to the firing. point, the further travel of the roller D- will act on the lever-R, link R bell crank lever B and spring R to throw the tripping rod R to the rear, so that as the succeeding. shell is fired and the guide roller D acts against the. cam surface of the lever Q, the notch on the lever B will be trippedinto the. notched lug R of the lever Q? and hold said lever and spring Q in inoperative positioii and prevent further rotation of'the 12 barrel cylinder until manually released. The operation of thegun may thereupon'be resumed as before described. I

Thus, it is not possible for a loaded shell, the firing of which is retarded, to progress to a point where the explosion chamber containing said shell is out of alignment with its particular rifled barrelr In other words, it insures the shell exploding, if at all, within the safe zone wherein'it is intended the 'explosion of the charge shall take place, and not after the explosion chamber and its barrel have become separated, in their respective paths of travel. k

Also, by means of the lever R", the automatic firing of the may be quickly stopped, for after turning that lever only one shot will be automatically fired.

It has been shown that b "varying the tension of the motor spring ,the-rate of auto- "'matic firing may be increased or decreased or the firin may be stopped completely.

As a furt er means'of controlling the automatic firing of the gun, I provlde, within ready grasp of the operator, a braking mechanism comprising a brake band S adjacent the periphery of the firing cylinder E '(see Fig. 4) one end of which band is mounted upon the longitudinal tie rod 0 and the other end to' a brake arm S, which is fulcrumed upon the longitudinal tie rod C, being secured in position by collars Cffi'O fast to said tie rod. -A brake shoe C .1s carried by the brake band S. The upper end.

(3 of the brake band being mounted upon .the arm S eccentrically of .the fulcrum of the latter, inward movement ,of said arm.

will cause the brake shoe 0 to frictionally. engagethe periphery of the firing cylinder E, and movement in the opposite dlre'ction will release the same. By this means the automatic firing of the gun may be slowed down or brought 'to a fu 1 stop.

The gun is suitably mounted, at approximately i-tslon 'tudinal center of upona stand comprising astan ard T having supporting legs T Upon the upper portion of the standard T, mounted prefer ably upon antifriction bearings T is a swivel member T formed at its lower portion with a split bearing Ti, the contiguous faces, at the point'of division, having pro- .jecting bosses T within a threaded bore in which lies a screw T, which maybe turned, by means of the lever T to tighten or loosen the split bearing T in its grip upon the standard T.

At the upperportion of the swivel member T is a sleeve '1 within which is pivotally re ceived the trunnion C extending from the intermediate cross frame (1, which sleeve is formed as a' split bearing having bosses T through a threaded bore in which projects a screw T, which may be tightened or loosened by the 1ever'T the short arm of which is connected to an extension T on the head of the screw T v By upward pressure against the leverTl the screw T is loosened, and thereupon the ends of the gun may be raised or lowered,

and a downward pressure on said lever will tighten the screw and split bearing and holdthe gun in the desired position. By similar movement of the lever T the gun may be rotatedupon thestandard T'- as a pivot and avity,

"in which is disposed a spindle U", which is made fast to the bearing member'U by the set screw U Mounted'upon the spindle U", at each side of the arm U, are reels U, U, said reels being held in position by a thumb nut U. The nut U has a transverse bore U The end of the s indle U" is formed lthin the bore U is with a keyway U a pin U one end of which normallypro -jects exteriorly of the thumb nut U being so held by a sprlng U. lying between the pin U The pin U formed with a cutaway portion, providing a key U, which, under action of the spring-U, normally lies within the key-way U [Said pin is also formed with a curved surface U", which, upon pressure. upon the outer end of the pin U afi'ords clearance for the spindle U, the

end of the bore U and the'inner end of the 5 key U being moved out of registry with the key-way U. the slot by a pin U transversely held within the slot U Thus, by pushing on the pin U, the-thumb nut U may thereupon, the reel itself.

The pin is held within be removed, and

. The uppersurface of the standard U (see- Fig. 16) is formed, at opposite sides, with cam surf-ace grooves U, U, the deepest points of said grooves being indicated at the enlarged ends-thereof, the cam surface 'U ascending in one direction, and the cam surface U ascending in the .opposite direction. These camgrooves are adaptedtoieceive holding pins U each having a head U against which acts a spring U, the latter being held in position by asmall screw U It will be understood,

from' Fig. 16, that two such spring-pressed p ins are used, although but one is shown in ssuming that two reels have been filled w1th ammunition belts. (See Fig. 3), as soonas the supply in one reel is exhausted,

hand" pressure is applied to turn the reels annularly about the stud U as anaxis. In such movement, the oppositel dis osed pins U ride up the cam surfaces U, in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 16, until, when said pins reach the respective cam depressions U, with head U, the reels will be held in that position until pressure is again applied to rotate the reels annularly as'stated above- In this manner a full reel is always held in reserve, and one half turn led to and placed upon the idler wheel 0,

and the latter turned to permit enga 'ng the end of the belt with the teeth on t e feed cylinder M, which operation will be facilitated by first releasing the latch N and oscillating the arm N on its pivot and momentarily withdrawing the wheel 0 from the feed cylinder M; when the latter has hold of the belt, the wheel 0 is thrown back into place, the latch N looking it in position.

Assuming the lever R" to be in upturned position and the safety mechanism in position to permit automatic firing, the crank J t is turned, rotating the shaft J, and, therewith, the feed cylinder M, charging cylinder L the travelling magazine formed of the units K, and the firing cylinder E Approximately a half revolution of the crank J. serves to charge the first of the explosion' chambers K, the others, on further turning of the crank, being successively loaded. Turning ofthe crank J 4 brings the cartridge to the firing point, which is clearly indicated in Fig. 3, where, it will be seen that the guide,rolle'r D (of the cylinder D on the barrel D is directly behlnd the curved cam surface of the cam lever Q and in longitudinal alignment with the explosion chamber K and with the clamping bolt E (containing the firing pin E said clamping bolt belng engaged by the cam plate G to close the rear end of the explosion chamber (with its contained cartridge) and press the explosion chamber against the end of th rifled barrel D 3 The discharge of the first cartridge, du to the gas therefrom acting on the cylinder D guide roller 1), cam lever Q and spring Q actuates the barrel cylinder, which makes a partial revolution, bringing the next following aligned barrel, explosion chamber and other mechanism just described in operative position for the firing of another cartridge. Thus, the successive discharges serve to charge, successively, the explosion chambers of the travelling magazine, bring them into position for engage-' ment with the clamping bolts and rifled barrels, lock the same, fire the charge, eject the empty shells, and propel the cartridge belt from the reel.

After the explosion chambers K, of the. travelling magazine, have passed the safe firing zone-which, it will be understood, is when said explosion chambers are in contact with the cam plate G-'-said chambers are retracted from the rear ends of the barrels by guide cam chute P acting on the guide rollers K (see Fig. 4) ,and positioned for the shells to be acted upon by the cam edges 1, P and rotary members P P of the ejecting mechanism, to eject the exploded shells. Just revious to the retraction of the explosion chambers K, the clamping bolts E are retracted, under action of the cam F", as more clearly shown diagrammatically in Fig. -11.

At whatever speed the gun is operated, the rifled barrels, the travelling magazine,- the clamping and firing cylinder and the charging cylinder and feed cylinder follow synchronously a predetermined path, and there will always be truly aligned with the rifled barrels, when they arrive at the firing point and pass the cam plate G, the respective explosion chamber units and the clamping and firing mechanism before described.

As already explained, if-the firing of a cartridge should be retarded, the safety mechanism operating, or operated by, the tripping rod R, insures that the charge shall explode, if at all, while the respective rifled barrels, magazine and clamping bolts are properly aligned and held in engagement by the cam plate G. It may be here remarked that at the normal firlng point the clamping members, explosion chamber units and barrels are acted upon with great force by the cam plate G, to hold them in rigid locked positlon, but, as they emerge from the normal firing position, the cameases up its pressure, so as to avoid unnecessary friction between the cam and the clamping members.

It will be understood, that as the gun is fired, the cylinders D are moved forwardly (see Fig. 3). These cylinders are thereafter retracted into operative position by the guide rollers D (connected to said cylinders) contacting with the cam Q said guide rollers being thereby moved from the forward to the rear ends of the openings D, so as to resume their positions behind the cam lever Q, as the barrel cylinder is rotated.

The rapidity of automatic fire may be controlled, or automatic fire altogether stopped, by manipulation of the hand wheel Q governing the action of the spring Q, or automatic fire may be stopped by reversing the lever B", in which event the gun may be operated by hand by turning the crank J Again, the rapidity of fire may be con-,

trolled, or firing stopped, by means of the brake S.

By manipulation of the levers T T, the gun may be respectively rotated, or elevated and depressed, for training upon a target.

It will be noted that the expansive power Y der of the gases resulting from the combustion of the explosive is not exerted upon the movable motor-cylinder D until the projectile discharged through the barrel D has actually left the end of the barrel. Thus, the (iperating movement of the motor-cylin- 13 in no wise detracts from the force of the explosive acting upon the projectile, such movement being, in fact, entirely due to the expansive force of the waste products of combustion after the full force ofthe explosive has been expended upon the proectile.

I. desire it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement of the invention ashcrein set forth, as modification and variation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the 'ap nded claims. I

. at I claim is:

1. In a gun of the class described, the combination of rotatable means for supporting a series of gun barrels, means for supporting, contiguous to said barrels, a travelling magazine comprising' a series of explosion chambers, means for loading the explosion chambers of said magazine while in travel to said barrels, means for holdin said explosion chambers'to said barrels an firing the charge. and means operatively connecting said barrel-supporting means with said other stated mechanisms, whereby, on the rotation of said barrel-supporting means, the other stated mechanisms are actuated.

2. In a gun of the class described, the

combination of rotatable means for support-' travel to align with said barrels, means for successively binding said explosion chambers to said barrels and firing the charge, means operatively connecting said barrel-supporting means with said other stated mechanisms, whereby, on the rotation of said barrel-supporting means, .the other stated mechanisms are actuated, and means for causing automatic rotation of said barrelsupporting means.

3. In a gun of the class described, the combination of rotatable means for supporting the series of gun barrels, means for supporting, contiguous to said barrels, a travelling magazine comprising a series of explosion chambers, means for loading the explosion chambers of said magazine while in travel to align with said barrels, means for holding said explosion chambers to said barrels and firing thecharge, means operatively 4 connecting said barrel-supporting means explosion chambers" respectively to t e respective barrels and fire the charge, cartridge-feeding and charging mechanism contlguous to said magazine and operatively connected to said rotatable member for loading successively the explosion chambers of said magazine, and means for automatically rotating the rotatable member and thereby actuating the other connected mechanisms stated.

"5. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable member carrying a plurality of gun barrels, an endless travelling magazine, comprising a plurality of connected explosion chambers, contiguous to said rotatable member, and adapted to be operatively aligned with said barrels, clamping and firing mechanism and means associated therewith adapted to clamp said explosion chambers respectively to the respective barrels and fire the charge, cartridge-feeding and charging mechanism contiguous to said magazine and operatively connected to said rotatable member for loading successively the explosion chambers of said magazine, and gas operated means for causing automatic operation of said rotatable member and thereby actuating said.

other mechanisms stated.

6. In a machine gun, the combination of longitudinal and transverse framing members, a bearing rod carried by said transverse members, a rotatable sleeve member carried by said bearing rod, gun barrels carried by said sleevemember, a rotatable power shaft, an endless travelling magazine, comprising a series of connected explosion chambers, carried by said a sleeve member and power shaft, means actuated by said rotatable shaft for consecutively feeding and charging loaded shells into said explosion chambers, means for clamping the explosion chambers of the magazine to said barrelsand successively firing the charges, means for successively ejecting the shells from said explosion chambers, means for manually operating said rotatable shaft and thereby operating said sleeve and inter-connected mechanisms, and means for automatically rotating said sleeve and thereby operating said rotatable shaft and inter-con nec ed mechanisms.

7. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a motor-spring, rigidly supported adjacent said rotatable body, sliding cylinders on said barrels, and means cooperating with said motor spring and sald sliding cylinders, to rotate said body by the expansive power of the gases from combustion of the explosive.

8. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body supporting a plurality of gun barrels, said rotatable body having longitudinal guide openings, a motorspring supported adjacent said rotatable body, sliding motor cylinders on said barrels movable'by the expansive power of the gases of combustion of the explosive, a cam .lever' operatively connected to said motor-spring, and a contact member on said motor cylinders, movable in said guide openings, acting on said cam lever to energize said motorspring to rotate said rotatable body.

9. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body carrying aplurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine, comprising'a plurality of explosion chambers adapted to align with said barrels, and clamping and firing mechanism, comprising a cylindrical body, rotatable with said barrel body, a plurality of clamping members movably carried by said cylindrical bod adapt-. ed to align with said explosion cham' rs and barrels, a plurality of firing pins movably carried by said clamping members, and cam means adapted to position said clamping members and retract and release said firing pins to fire the charge.

10. In a gun of the class described, the

' combination of'a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine, comprising a plurality of explosion chambers adapted to align 'with said barrels, clamping and firing mechanism, comprising a cylindrical body, rotatable with said barrel body, a plurality ofclamping members carried by said cylindrical body adapted to align with said explosion chambers and barrels, a plurality of firing pins movably carried by said clamping members, cam means adapted to position said clamping members and retract and release said firing pins to fire the charge, and a cam for clamp.- ing the explosion chambers to said barrels before firing the charge.

11. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine comprising a plurality of explosion chambers adapted to align with said barrels, 60

means for holding said explosion chambers rigidly to said barrels and firing the charge, and feeding and charging means adapted to feed shells to, and load, saidexplosion chambers while in motion, said feeding and charging means comprisinga rotatable cylindrical body carrying the loaded cartridge shells,

zine comprising a plurality of explosion chambers adapted to align with said barrels, means for holding said explosion chambers rigidly to said barrels and firing the charge,

and feeding and charging means adapted to feed and load said explosion chambers while in motion, said feeding and charging means comprising a rotatable cylindrical body carrying the loaded cartridge shells and a rotatable cylindrical body provided with a plurality ofcharging plungers adapted to -move said cartridge shells from the feed body to and into said explosion chambers, and means for actuating all of said stated mechanisms automatically by the expansive power of the gases of combustion of the explosive; r

13. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine comprising a plurality of explosion chambers adapted to align with said barrels, means for holding said explosion chambers rigidly to said barrels and firing the charge, and feeding and charging'means adapted to feed and load said explosion chambers while in motion, said feeding and charging means comprising a rotatable cylindrical body car-' rying the loaded cartridge shells and a rotatable cylindrical body provided with a plurality of charging plungers adapted to move said cartridge'shells from the feed body to and into saidexplosion chambers, and means for both manually and automatically actuating all of said stated means and mechanisms. h

14. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a plurality of barrels, col lectively rotatable, a plurality of explosion chambers travelling in a pre-determined path to align with said barrels, a plurality of clamping members and firing pins aligning with said explosion chambers and barrels and collectively rotatable with the latter, means for successively loading said explosion chambers while in motion, means for causing said clamping members to successively engage said explosion chambers with said barrels, means for successively actuating the firing pins to explode the loaded shells, mechanism for discharging the empty shells from said explosion chambers while in motion, and driving means for actuating said recited means and mechanism.

15. In a gun' of the class described, the

plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magacombination of a plurality of barrels,c ollectively rotatable, a pluralityof explosion chambers travelling in a pre-determined path to align with said barrels, a plurali.ty

of clamping. members and firing pins aligne said barrels, means forsuccessively actuat ing the firing pins to explode the loaded shells, mechanism for discharging the empty shells from said explosion chambers while in motion, and automatic driving means for actuating said recited means and mechanism.

16. In a gun of the classdescribed, the combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine comprising a series of explosion chambers adapted to align with said barrels, means for depositing explosive shells in said explosion chambers while the latter are in motion, means for firing said shells while said chambers are aligned with said barrels, and means for rotating said body and actuating said magazine and said depositing and firing means by the expansive power of the gases of combustion of the explosive.

17. In a gun of the class described, the

combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine comprising a series 'of explosion chambers adapted to align with said barrels, means for depositing explosive shells in said explosion chambers while the latter are in motion, means for firin said shells while said chambers are aligne with said barrels, and means for rotating said body and actuating said magazine and said depositing and firing means by the expansion of the gases resulting from combustlon of the explosive, after the projectiles leave said barrels.

18. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine comprising a series of explosion chambers adapted to align with said barrels, means for depositing explosive shells in said explosion chambers while the latter are in motion, means for firing said shells while said chambers are aligned with said barrels,

means for ejecting the empty shells'from said explosion chambers while in motion, and means for rotating said body and actuating said magazine, said depositing and firing means, and said ejecting means, by

- the waste. gas of combustion of the explosive.

19. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine comprising explosion chambers aligning with said barrels, clamping and firing mechanism rotating with said barrel carrying body, mechanism for loading said magazine, mechanism for ejecting the empty shells, said magazine. and mechanisms having operative connection with and being adapted to be driven by said barrel carryin body, means for automatically rotating sai barrel carrying body by the expansive power of the gases resulting from the combustion of the explosive, and automatic means for stopping the automatic operation of said barrel body in case of retarded firing of the explosive.

20. In a gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazine comprisin explosion chambers aligning with said barrels, clamping and firing mechanism rotating with said barrel carrying body, mechanism for loading said magazine, mechanism for ejecting the empty shells, said magazine and mechanisms hav- 1ng operative connection with and being adapted to be driven by said barrel carryin' body, means for automatically rotating said barrel carrying body by the expansive power of the gases resulting from the combustion of the explosive, and manually operated means for preventing or stopping the automatic rotation of said barrel carrying body. 21. In a .gun of the class described, the combination of a rotatable body carrying a plurality of gun barrels, a travelling magazlne comprising explosion chambers aligning with said barrels, clamping and firing mechanism rotating with said barrel carry ing body, mechanism for loading said magazine, mechanism for eject-ing the empty shells, said magazine and mechanisms having operative connection with and being adapted to be driven by said barrel carrying body, means for automatically rotating said barrel carrying body by the expansive power of the gases resulting from the combustion of the explosive, and a manually operated brake mechanism for varying the speed of or stopping the automatic operation of said barrel carrying body and magazine and stated mechanisms.

22. In an automatic gun, the combination with a travelling magazine of means for ejecting shells therefrom while in motion, said means comprising a cam for partially ejecting said shells, a plurality of rotatable members between which the shells are delivered in sequence, and means for positively rotating one of said members at a greater speed than the other.

23. In an automatic .gun, the combination with a travelling magazine of means for ejecting shells therefrom while in motion, said means comprising a cam for partially ejecting said shells, and a plurality of rotatable members adapted to receive said 

